8 incumbents, 3 newcomers win races for Allegheny County Council, controller, treasurer

Much of the attention during Tuesday’s election in Allegheny County focused on high-profile races for county executive and district attorney.

Democrat Sara Innamorato won a hotly contested race against Republican Joe Rockey to become the first female elected to be Allegheny County executive. She will replace Rich Fitzgerald, who has served at that post for the past 12 years and could not run again because of term limits.

Longtime Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. narrowly defeated challenger Matt Dugan to secure his seventh term.

In other countywide races, several incumbents won contested elections to keep their positions on county council.

Democrat Bethany Hallam of Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights and Republican Sam DeMarco of North Fayette retained their at-large county council seats.

Incumbent Republican Suzanne Filiaggi of Franklin Park defeated Democratic challenger Todd Hamer by 8.1 percentage points; incumbent Democrat John Palmiere of Baldwin, county council’s vice president, defeated Republican challenger Sean McGrath by 8.9 points; incumbent Democrat DeWitt Walton of Pittsburgh’s Hill District defeated independent challenger Carl Redwood by 25 points; and incumbent Democrat Paul Klein of Pittsburgh’s Point Breeze defeated Republican challenger Eileen Cunningham by 57.7 points.

Incumbent Democrat Nick Futules of Oakmont retained his seat in an uncontested race.

Two newcomers also are slated to join County Council.

Democrat David Bonaroti of Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville beat out independent Sam Schmidt by 40.3 points to replace Olivia Bennett, who opted not to seek reelection; while Democrat Dan Grzybek of Bethel Park won by 14.2 points against Republican Mike Embrescia in a race to replace Tom Duerr, who did not seek reelection.

“Thank you to the residents of Bethel Park, Dormont, Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair for putting your faith in me to be your next County Councilperson,” Grzybek wrote in a social media post. “I am truly honored and can’t wait to get to work.”

Democratic County Controller Corey O’Connor of Swisshelm Park collected 66.7% of the votes cast to defeat Republican Bob Howard. O’Connor was appointed to the position last year, and secured his first full, four-year term on Tuesday.

“Thank you to the voters of Allegheny County for electing me to a full term as your next county controller,” O’Connor wrote in a social media post. “As I said this spring, I am committed to delivering a government that’s transparent, effective, humane and works for everyone.”

Thank you to the voters of Allegheny County for electing me to a full term as your next County Controller. As I said this spring, I am committed to delivering a government that’s transparent, effective, humane, and works for everyone. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/oiLVnSvQoW

— Corey O'Connor (@CoreyOConnorPA) November 8, 2023

Democrat Erica Brusselars of Pittsburgh’s North Side was elected to be county treasurer, defeating Republican Herb Ohliger by 22.3 points. She will replace Democrat John Weinstein, who has served as treasurer since he was first elected in 1999. Weinstein was defeated in the May primary race in his bid for county executive.